Physician shortage in Canada?

[bravotwozero]

Is there a physician shortage in major canadian urban centers? Or is it largely restricted to primary care physicians only in remote, undesirable locales? What about places like say, Niagara Falls, or some other urban areas that aren't major metro areas? Is the shortage mostly primary care providers, or does it apply to specialists as well? Or has Canada become disproportionately specialist heavy too?

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

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[Vitum Medicinus]

I know of some family doctors in cities that are taking new patients, but haven't heard about that happening in smaller centers for a long time.

 

[NiagaraRents]

There are absolutely no doctors taking patients on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. There hasn't been in years. Everyone just uses the walk-in clinics.

Cheers,

Dennis
Niagara Falls Apartments

 

[squiggle]

for sure, there is some stat out there, you could google it, about how many Canadians do not have a family doctor. i live in one of the 'undesirable' places you mention, though that is not how i would describe it. only after 6 years do i have a permanent family doc. it is mostly locums. specialists? we have no permanent psychiatrist at the hospital that serves the entire Northwest Territories and Nunavut. etc..etc...you want a good income? work in Northern Canada, the MD's who do locums make killer money and the reg salary is awesome too. my community is cool, diverse, lots of young people cause there is so much work, great restaurants, wilderness, schools, quality of life...and this amazing entity called an AIRPORT, and with that, you can take your nice doc salary and mucho vacation time and fly, fly away....

 

[StriveToBeDr]

Is there a physician shortage in major canadian urban centers? Or is it largely restricted to primary care physicians only in remote, undesirable locales? What about places like say, Niagara Falls, or some other urban areas that aren't major metro areas? Is the shortage mostly primary care providers, or does it apply to specialists as well? Or has Canada become disproportionately specialist heavy too?

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Hi Bravotwozero, how is your school in NOVA going? I am in COMP finally.
I have been thinking of going back to Canada for residency, and wishing to do it either in BC or ON, but realizing that need to take the Canadian board as well.

What is your opinion?

 

[mlw03]

Bringing this thread back to share a link I found to the Edmonton paper: http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/20...athologists-alberta-health-services-responds/

Any thoughts or comments from folks living in Canada at present? I'm an American pathologist who has accepted a position in Alberta, and I think some of my pathology colleagues in the US would be wise to consider doing the same, given the starting salary I was told compared to what they make in most US cities.